International Master Marko Manninen (Haapana)
Known in the chess world by the enigmatic handle Haapana, Marko Manninen is no ordinary player; he’s an International Master certified by FIDE — which is fancy chess-speak meaning he’s pretty darn good at this cerebral battlefield.
Marko’s chess journey is one of steady climb and fiery battles through the blitz and bullet arenas, where speed and wits collide. Achieving a peak blitz rating close to 2494 in 2021, and an electrifying bullet peak rating of 2521 in 2020, he dazzles opponents who dare cross his path. His rapid games are no less impressive, peaking around 2387, proving he’s equally comfortable when the clock hands move slower.
His playing style? A cocktail of patience and tenacity. With an average of 74 moves per win, Marko prefers to win by wearing down his opponents in lengthy endgames rather than quick skirmishes. And speaking of comebacks, he boasts a stellar 82.55% comeback rate after slipping up — basically meaning he’s the king of turning disasters into dazzling victories.
Ever the tactician, Marko’s games are peppered with strategic resignations (only in his favor, naturally), and an almost zen-like composure with a tilt factor of just 15, which in chess psychology means he rarely lets frustration mess with his mojo. His favorite hour to play? When most are winding down — the witching hour of 23:00 — possibly because that’s when his brain kicks into grandmaster mode while others sleep.
Off the battlefield, Marko’s record against opponents ranges from merciless to magnanimous, boasting 100% win rates against numerous players while being playfully merciless to others who face his “Top Secret” opening repertoire. His longest winning streak reached an epic 17 games, a feat that surely shook many a chessboard.
Recent Chess Triumph
On June 4th, 2024, in a live chess game at Chess.com, Marko (under "Haapana") demonstrated masterful skill in the French Defense Winawer Advance Variation, securing a win by resignation. The battle was fierce and featured deep maneuvering — perfect for fans of strategic mastery.
View the game here.
In Summary
Marko Manninen is a formidable chess force, a tactician who blends speedy play with cerebral depth. Whether blitzing or bulleting, his games are a rollercoaster of strategy and resilience. So if you ever face Haapana at the board, prepare for a battle of wits and nerves — and maybe a little magic from the midnight hour.
